AIM-PROGRESS - Newsletter

EDITORIAL

2011 has seen a number of changes to AIM-PROGRESS, including new member categories and activities, as well as growing recognition by other initiatives.

Membership Expansion & Criteria

AIM-PROGRESS membership is now also open to first tier suppliers delivering to the FMCG sector. The two first supplier companies to join are MeadWestVaco and Amcor. Membership of AIM-PROGRESS has now reached 26 companies and is continuing to grow.

NestlÃ© Hosts October 2011 AIM-PROGRESS Meeting

The picturesque Nestlé offices on Lake Geneva in Vevey were host to the 18-20 October meeting of AIM-PROGRESS, which brought together over 40 representatives.

Mutual Recognition (led by Coca-Cola)

The MR framework to date has been adopted by 19 companies. 5000 audits from 14 member companies are being shared through a joint audited supplier list.

Supplier Capability Building (led by PepsiCo)

The 2011 supplier capability events brought together over 600 supplier companies in locations, including Mexico, South Africa, China and Kenya, as well as through webinars in Europe.

Business Integrity (led by Diageo)

The work stream has started to benchmark members’ supplier codes & audit protocols to better understand best practice in the FMCG industry in the assessment and communication of business integrity codes and standards for suppliers.

Communication (led by PepsiCo)

The AIM-PROGRESS new stand-alone website will be on-line at the beginning of 2012, providing, at the same time, a new identity in the form of an updated logo and presentation material.

Systems (led by Unilever)

The mission of the “Systems” work stream is to help further develop Sedex along members’ expectations, including evaluation of other systems.

Agriculture/Extractives (led by Kraft Foods)

This work stream will focus on two main lines of action: Identify emerging issues Establish an overview of initiatives and NGOs active in CSR in the agriculture/extractives sector.

Member Knowledge & Capabilities

The task force meetings, which are held three times a year, are used as an opportunity for members to share best practices and discuss solutions to issues arising with CSR programmes.

AIM-PROGRESS Resource Expansion

As of 2012 AIM-PROGRESS will hire an additional resource to help the AIM Secretariat with project management and administrative tasks.

Policy Issues: Business and Human Rights

One important learning topic for CSR and procurement professionals represented in AIM-PROGRESS is the “Ruggie framework”, i.e. the new UN guiding principles for business and human rights.

EU Policy Developments

The EU Commission just published a communication with a new definition of CSR, taking into account developments at UN level: CSR is now the responsibility of enterprises for their impacts on society; this includes social, environmental, ethical considerations, human rights & consumer concerns. The Commission intends to follow-up with concrete policy measures.

AIM-PROGRESS Targets for 2012

Increase membership to 35 companies